Implant-Supported Dentures Procedure

For patients who require a denture or are unsatisfied with their current conventional denture, Dr. Michael Costa and Dr. Stephen Malone of Knoxville Smiles at Malone & Costa Dentistry provide implant supported dentures in the convenience of our own office.

If you have lost or had extracted most or all of your teeth, full dentures can help you regain your ability to speak, eat, and smile with confidence. Unfortunately, traditional dentures, that simply rest atop the gums, easily move or are dislodged while eating and speaking. This even happens when using denture adhesives. As a result, social confidence suffers. A full removable denture that feels comfortably at first may not fit well later and require relining to regain measurable comfort. Many denture wearers struggle with food getting under their denture and bad breath. Denture wearers are fortunate to have a choice today that provides for superior quality of life.

Implant supported dentures are the gold standard of care today. We offer two types of implant dentures. The first is a snap on and off denture that you easily remove for cleaning the denture and your mouth. It could be “bar retained” or “ball retained.” Typically, four implants are used to hold the denture.

  • bar-retained denture involves implants attached to a set of metal bars, onto which the denture is placed and removed by both dentist and patient.
  • ball-retained denture uses a ball and socket or stud abutment, onto which the denture is placed and removed by both dentist and patient.

The second type of implant denture is what is called a “hybrid” denture. This type is fixed on implants and only removed by your dentist at your periodic routine visits to clean under the denture and examine the health of your gum tissue. This treatment can be done without bone grafting procedures, because of the specially angled implants used. The hybrid denture treatment is often called “All on 4,” “All on X,” and “Teeth in a Day” treatment, because the denture is placed on as few as four implants on the same day as the specially angled implants are placed. The advanced technology of the components used for this treatment make it more costly. Nevertheless, many patients choose this treatment, because once the denture is fixed in placed, it is like having a full set of healthy natural teeth.

Implant supported dentures provide many advantages over conventional dentures. These include:

  • A more snug, comfortable fit
  • Improved bone health
  • Better stability, since they cannot shift as easily
  • Enhanced confidence and self-esteem
  • A more attractive appearance
  • Easier speaking
  • More comfortable chewing and fewer food restrictions
  • Limited or no clicking sounds, as is often the case with traditional dentures

You may be surprised to learn that most denture wearers are good candidates for implants. At your consultation, Dr. Costa or Dr. Malone will explain your options in detail and guide you in choosing the type of implant supported denture you would like to have.

We offer complimentary (no fee) initial and second opinion implant consultation appointments. In this appointment, you will learn about appropriate implant treatment for your individual oral health situation, and your questions will be answered. Our patient coordinator will explain financing options available through CareCredit and LendingClub Patient Solutions. You may take time to make your decision, and you will not be under pressure to schedule treatment.

We provide 3D CBTCT imaging in our own office. This 3D imaging is important for evaluating your bone tissue and for precise treatment planning. Most dental practices do not have this imaging in-house and either refer patients to 3d imaging facilities or depend on two-dimensional x-rays, with the result of higher out-of-pocket cost for oral health care or diagnostics and based on less precise imaging.

Not only do we want our patients to have the best care, we strive to make it affordable.

All about implant-supported dentures near Knoxville TN
Are you tired of maintaining your dentures or the dentures not fitting properly? Implant-supported dentures are the answer for you. Watch this video as Dr. Stephen Malone from Knoxville Smiles explains all you need to know about them.

All about implant-supported dentures at Knoxville Smiles explained by Dr. Stephen Malone
Video Transcript

What are the issues of traditional dentures?

There are patients who don’t have any teeth, or they just recently lost their teeth, and they are not doing very well wearing a set of dentures.

The traditional set of dentures is something that patients do well with, or they don’t. The lower denture is worse than the upper denture.

If you have an upper denture. There is a palette seal that helps hold the denture by suction. The lower denture does not do that. It is a balancing act between the cheeks and the tongue.

Why should one get implant-supported dentures?

If you have been wearing a denture for a long time, there may be less bone there to put a ridge underneath the denture that keeps it from going sideways. So, one of the things we can do is an implant-supported denture.

What are the different kinds of implant-supported dentures?

You could have two implants that stabilize the denture. So, you are still biting down on tissues or your gum tissue. Yet the implants keep the denture from moving.

The other style is to put a bar or a combination of implants that is more than two. The denture does not sit on the tissues but the implants. It is more like having real teeth.


Dr. Micheal Costa

Dr. Costa

Dr. Stephen Malone

Dr. Malone


Knoxville Smiles at Malone & Costa Dentistry offers a unique dental care experience to our patients in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the surrounding areas. The crew is committed to protecting and increasing the natural beauty of your smile by employing conservative, cutting-edge techniques that result in attractive, long-lasting smiles!

Our dedicated and experienced team of doctors includes Dr. Stephen Malone, D.M.D., University of Louisville, and Dr. Michael Costa, D.D.S., UNC School of Dentistry, M.H.A., UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health in Chapel Hill, NC. They are firm believers in continuing education to provide their patients with the finest possible care.

Drs. Costa and Malone see their patients as real partners in their service. Our team is committed to making your dental care journey as pleasant as possible.

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